Any new scams in Italy?
Jun 8th, 2013, 07:58 PM
#1
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Any new scams in Italy?
We are traveling to Italy. Florence, Venice, Verona, Ravenna, Bologna, Padua, and Trieste. Any new scams going on?
We are aware of the ring (although that seems to be more Paris), petitions, ticket turnstiles, "helpful" people, dirt on the shirt., and the good 'ole, pickpocket..
anything new and subtle of which we need to be aware?
We are aware of the ring (although that seems to be more Paris), petitions, ticket turnstiles, "helpful" people, dirt on the shirt., and the good 'ole, pickpocket..
anything new and subtle of which we need to be aware?
Jun 9th, 2013, 12:02 AM
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Not sure if this is new or old but a clever attempt to pickpocket my very savvy and aware sister happened last month in Rome just after we boarded a crowded metro underground train.
I was aboard and she was following me. I saw two young gypsy women crush behind her - one was breastfeeding a baby in a very exposed way. In the split second that I thought that it was odd that she was trying to nurse a baby in such a crowded place when the baby was clearly not hungry, her companion reached right around to my sister's small backpack which she was holding tightly almost in front of her. As I saw this hand I screamed out, my sister jerked her bag and a bunch of things fell from the now-unzippered pouch, but nothing of importance because my sister had stashed all valuables elsewhere underneath her clothes.
We were amazed at how fast it all happened, and how fast the duo and the baby melted away into the depths of the crowded train.
I was aboard and she was following me. I saw two young gypsy women crush behind her - one was breastfeeding a baby in a very exposed way. In the split second that I thought that it was odd that she was trying to nurse a baby in such a crowded place when the baby was clearly not hungry, her companion reached right around to my sister's small backpack which she was holding tightly almost in front of her. As I saw this hand I screamed out, my sister jerked her bag and a bunch of things fell from the now-unzippered pouch, but nothing of importance because my sister had stashed all valuables elsewhere underneath her clothes.
We were amazed at how fast it all happened, and how fast the duo and the baby melted away into the depths of the crowded train.
Jun 9th, 2013, 12:09 AM
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I'd love to know how people get scammed. I've lived in Europe my entire life, been to Paris 1000's of times, been to Italy more times than I can remember, been to Spain, Russia & most European countries. Have never been scammed nor seen any of the scams frequently mentioned here take place in the tourist areas or elsewhere. Never been pickpocketed, don't own a money belt. Can't think of any friends family or co-workers who have been scammed, not even US co- workers. Yes you need to be careful anywhere you go but why the paranoia?
Jun 9th, 2013, 01:52 AM
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We tend to travel off-season and so possibly these things gear up in the Summer Mind you, I, husband and daughter were walking in Rome in May when a motorist asked for directions. He loved England and had just been there selling his firm's top quality leather items. Three sceptical and slightly amused pairs of eyes met his, and he grinned and drove off
Jun 9th, 2013, 02:15 AM
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I've been in Italy for almost four weeks.
Being sick in Venice and Florence, I didn't get out much. But I see much more of the "beggar" influence this trip than ever before.
There are dozens of people begging on the streets and buses and trams. Even mothers with aforementioned child hanging off her exposed breast, wailing in Italian as her 5-year-old walks through the train asking for donations. Disgusting.
I was approached at an ATM by a woman begging with a cup. I told her sternly no and she left. If you can use an ATM that is exposed to a large population, do that as opposed to an ATM on a sidestreet. (I use only ATM when here and so far, no issues. And you can guess, I use them a lot.)
Yesterday, near Santa Maria Maggiore, a very nicely-dressed couple, looking lost, asked me something in Italian. I assumed they wanted directions. I said "non capisco" and they then asked me in English if I had one Euro! I waved my hand and gave them a dirty look and promptly kept walking.
I carry a large zippered (one zipper, on top) bag with short straps that I carry over my shoulder and under my arm. I keep everything in there (umbrella, guidebook, map, water bottle, keys, passport and cash.) Because it only has one way in, I probably am at less risk, as it is always under my arm. When I'm sitting down, it is in my lap. I've had no issues with pickpockets or thieves.
Just be vigilant like you would elsewhere. Don't carry large amounts of cash. I never carry more then E100 on any given day. The rest stays in my apartment.
The nice thing about the large bag is the short straps make it stay on my shoulder quite easily, and less easily for someone to grab it and go. My hand is frequently holding on to the strap, anyway. Force of habit. I can also fit into it anything I decide to purchase, including groceries.
I think I look like a local- many women carry these large bags. (Mine is not actually a purse, but was designed to hold a 17-inch laptop.)
When I'm going one place, specifically, like to a restaurant for dinner, I simply carry a very small purse that also has short straps and I carry it, too, over my shoulder with the purse itself under my arm. After four weeks, I'm closer to not looking like a tourist. hahaha
So, no experiences with pickpockets in all my time in Italy, but beggars are everywhere!
I'm sure if you use the same smarts you do at home (don't go to ATM after dark or in an isolated area), etc., you'll be fine!
When in Rome, please remember to stop at the Torre Argentina to make a donation to the cat sanctuary. The site is lovely as an archeological gem, too. But you cannot miss the kitties. And the non-profit who takes care of them needs all the help they can get! There are some cute cat souvenirs downstairs in their gift shop (where you can also make your donation)! Grazie!
Being sick in Venice and Florence, I didn't get out much. But I see much more of the "beggar" influence this trip than ever before.
There are dozens of people begging on the streets and buses and trams. Even mothers with aforementioned child hanging off her exposed breast, wailing in Italian as her 5-year-old walks through the train asking for donations. Disgusting.
I was approached at an ATM by a woman begging with a cup. I told her sternly no and she left. If you can use an ATM that is exposed to a large population, do that as opposed to an ATM on a sidestreet. (I use only ATM when here and so far, no issues. And you can guess, I use them a lot.)
Yesterday, near Santa Maria Maggiore, a very nicely-dressed couple, looking lost, asked me something in Italian. I assumed they wanted directions. I said "non capisco" and they then asked me in English if I had one Euro! I waved my hand and gave them a dirty look and promptly kept walking.
I carry a large zippered (one zipper, on top) bag with short straps that I carry over my shoulder and under my arm. I keep everything in there (umbrella, guidebook, map, water bottle, keys, passport and cash.) Because it only has one way in, I probably am at less risk, as it is always under my arm. When I'm sitting down, it is in my lap. I've had no issues with pickpockets or thieves.
Just be vigilant like you would elsewhere. Don't carry large amounts of cash. I never carry more then E100 on any given day. The rest stays in my apartment.
The nice thing about the large bag is the short straps make it stay on my shoulder quite easily, and less easily for someone to grab it and go. My hand is frequently holding on to the strap, anyway. Force of habit. I can also fit into it anything I decide to purchase, including groceries.
I think I look like a local- many women carry these large bags. (Mine is not actually a purse, but was designed to hold a 17-inch laptop.)
When I'm going one place, specifically, like to a restaurant for dinner, I simply carry a very small purse that also has short straps and I carry it, too, over my shoulder with the purse itself under my arm. After four weeks, I'm closer to not looking like a tourist. hahaha
So, no experiences with pickpockets in all my time in Italy, but beggars are everywhere!
I'm sure if you use the same smarts you do at home (don't go to ATM after dark or in an isolated area), etc., you'll be fine!
When in Rome, please remember to stop at the Torre Argentina to make a donation to the cat sanctuary. The site is lovely as an archeological gem, too. But you cannot miss the kitties.
And the non-profit who takes care of them needs all the help they can get! There are some cute cat souvenirs downstairs in their gift shop (where you can also make your donation)! Grazie!
Jun 9th, 2013, 11:20 AM
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nytraveler - I concur. Begging is a problem in Italy and is almost worthy of a separate posting which illustrates the distinction between the various formats - Italians in difficulty (similar to clochards), drug addicts, foreigners who cannot return to their home country (normally Africans) and professional beggars (normally Rom).
Scams are different and in any country the rule is - CAVEAT EMPTOR!
This is true in every country and exists also in America although perhaps in a format more sophisticated.
Scams are different and in any country the rule is - CAVEAT EMPTOR!
This is true in every country and exists also in America although perhaps in a format more sophisticated.
